An Encyclopedia of Early Civil War Virginia
In a previous post examining which Federal forces were involved in the July 13, 1861 Battle of Corrick’s Ford, I noted that, given the ferocity and duration of the fighting, it is difficult to explain how Union losses remained so light, with just two killed and roughly six or seven wounded. This figure comes directly…
A wealth of primary sources exists concerning the Battle of Corrick's Ford, fought on July 13, 1861, in Tucker County, West Virginia, and its aftermath. Official reports from several Union commanders involved in the action, however, are conspicuously absent. It was customary for each colonel engaged in an action like this to submit a report…
Continue reading ➞ Colonel Ebenezer Dumont’s Report from Corrick’s Ford
I've written about John Lott, allegedly "The first colored man that shouldered a musket in the Union Army," previously for Spirit of '61. In particular, his involvement in a murder at Philippi the day after Union forces occupied the town. The information I’ve since uncovered is a fascinating and unconventional story that stretches from southern…
Continue reading ➞ New at Emerging Civil War: The Enigma of John Lott
Welcome to version 1.6 of the Spirit of ’61 Battlelog! Over the past several months, we have focused on revising and updating our battle narratives for the Tygart Valley–Cheat River Campaign. With these updates completed, our Battlelog is now 88 pages and over 44,800 words. Here is a detailed list of all changes in this…
After McClellan’s victory at Rich Mountain, Brig. Gen. Robert S. Garnett’s army fled Laurel Hill in a rain-soaked retreat through the mountains of western Virginia. At Corrick’s Ford, along Shavers Fork of the Cheat River, the pursuit caught up with them, ending in the collapse of Garnett’s command and the death of the first general…
Continue reading ➞ The Fight at Corrick’s Ford: Union Pursuit and the Death of Robert S. Garnett
The Battle of Corrick’s Ford (often misspelled Carrick’s), fought on July 13, 1861, marked the climax of the Tygart Valley–Cheat River campaign in northwestern Virginia. It ended in the complete rout of Brig. Gen. Robert S. Garnett’s army and his death. The action was a rearguard fight, with a small portion of Garnett’s force holding…
Continue reading ➞ What Confederate Units were at the Battle of Corrick’s Ford?
Fought on July 13, 1861, the Battle of Corrick’s Ford (often misspelled Carrick’s) marked the climax of the Tygart Valley–Cheat River campaign. It ended in the complete rout of Brig. Gen. Robert S. Garnett’s remaining army and his death. Remarkably, the victory was won by a relatively small Union force, only part of Thomas A.…
Continue reading ➞ What Federal Units were at the Battle of Corrick’s Ford?
While I don't think any work of history can be one hundred percent bias free, I do think it's important to be as objective as possible while still remaining accurate and entertaining for the reader. I recently experimented with A.I. (Google Gemini to be precise), to help me come up with a way to measure…
In July 1861, George B. McClellan launched a coordinated offensive in western Virginia, using a diversion at Laurel Hill and a daring flank march over Rich Mountain to break Robert S. Garnett’s defensive line. The resulting Union victory not only shattered Confederate control of the region but propelled McClellan into national prominence at a critical…
On Tuesday, April 16, 1861, the Virginia Convention in Richmond entered secret session to debate secession and a potential alliance with the Confederate States. The next day, delegates voted 88 to 55 in favor of secession, pending a popular referendum set for May 23. Ten days into the session, on April 25, they approved ordinances…
Continue reading ➞ 165 Years Ago: Virginia Convention Calls for Alliance with the Confederate States
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